Airavat Aviation, an affiliate of Dubai-based global shipping and logistics conglomerate Transworld Group, has launched charter flight operations from Dubai Al Maktoum International Airport (OMDW). It mainly expects to carry passengers to destinations in Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East with a pair of Hawker 4000s.
The new company holds an air operator certificate (AOC) issued by authorities in San Marino. Transworld Group chairman Ramesh Ramakrishnan told AIN that aircraft management group Titan Aviation, which also operates largely under a San Marino AOC, is providing support for the operations.
Airavat's first Hawker 4000 is already operational, while the second of the super-midsize twinjets is set to join the fleet in mid-August, adding to the company's capacity to serve a broader range of destinations and itineraries. It fully owns both of these airplanes and has plans to further expand the fleet.
“By holding our fleet, we can maintain strict control over maintenance schedules, ensuring that our aircraft are always in top-notch condition and offering a level of reliability and consistency that sets us apart in the luxury aviation sector,” Ramakrishnan said. “Some of the popular destinations we will be serving include cities such as London, Rome, Barcelona, Zurich, Istanbul, and Beirut.”
Malta, Egypt, Nigeria, Morocco, Germany, Kenya, and Namibia, and destinations in the Gulf region and the Indian subcontinent, as well as Singapore, are also being targeted as potential destinations. Airavat cited recent reports to show that the Middle East and Africa jet charter market is expected to grow from $512 million in 2023 to $852 million by 2028 and said it intended to capture an 8 to 10 percent market share over the next five years.
According to Airavat Aviation, it has partnered with "reputable" FBO operators at Dubai's Al Maktoum International Airport, including DC Aviation Al-Futtaim.
“As demand for our services continues to surge, we plan further expansion,” said Ramakrishnan. “We understand the importance of meeting the needs of our clients and ensuring that we have sufficient resources to accommodate their requirements.”